Information

Genre

Big BandJazz

Release Date

01.01.1979

Information

One of Europe’s most venerated band leaders, Swiss pianist-composer George Gruntz fronted small and large groups stacked with international jazz greats. This live GGCGB date is a dazzling example. All are internationally renowned jazz masters, many, such as long-time Mingus trombonist Jimmy Knepper, were innovators on their instruments; some, such as Americans drummer Elvin Jones, guitarist John Scofield, and trumpeter Woody Shaw are jazz legends. The compositions highlight Gruntz’s arranging skills and allow for a lot of open blowing. Destiny opens up with a propulsive Elvin Jones drum solo, followed by Scofield’s compelling play and Swiss musician Franco Ambrozetti’s luscious, warm flugelhorn. Gruntz’s lovely ballad Morning Song of a Flower has soloists Ambrozetti flitting between tenderness and a sunny medium-tempo. Napoleon Blown Apart begins with Mile Richmond’s plucked bass on into Gruntz’ Japanesque piano runs and Tyner-like chords followed by an upbeat jazz waltz and British saxophonist Alan Skidmore’s incendiary solo. Elvin explosively trades eights with the band before Lew Tabackin’s swinging tenor brings the band home. The fanciful Cinderella Friday Night features Lois Colin’s cascading harp lines the great Danish musician Palle Mikkelborg’s breathily kaleidoscopic flugelhorn (with a musical aside to the Beatles), and Skidmore’s frenetic tenor. Allmusic calls the album “stunning music by ensemble”; it stands as verification of Gruntz as one of the prime movers in European jazz.